2014 Annual General Meeting

On February 10, 2014, the PEO Grand River Chapter held its 2014 Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Cutten Fields in Guelph.

To kick-off the evening, keynote speaker Mr. Rui De Carvalho, P.Eng., Senior Vice-president of R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited, and recent recipient of the University of Guelph, School of Engineering’s Engineering Medal of Achievement (the highest honour given by the School) reminded all about the value our drinking water and how fortunate Canadians are to have reliable access to this resource.

Using his team’s experiences in the African country of Mozambique, he presented the many challenges to providing adequate drinking water in developing countries, many going beyond the practice of engineering. It was good to hear that a local Canadian firm was using their engineering skills to assist those less fortunate overseas. A copy of his presentation if found here:

Following the presentation was the presentation of awards and recognition pins. For this year’s PEO engineering scholarship, the award went to Baraa Hamodi. He is a recent graduate of Bluevale Collegiate Institute in Waterloo and presently enrolled in the Mechatronics Engineering program at the University of Waterloo (also currently on work tem in Ottawa). He demonstrated outstanding academic, fund-raising and volunteer work making him worthy of this year’s scholarship. Next, volunteer recognition pins were given to Richard Zytner, Ph.D, P.Eng., FEC for 20 years of service, Frank Hull, P.Eng., FEC for 15 years of service, and Kaoru Yajima, P.Eng. for 5 years of service to the profession. Finally, the Chapter welcomed newly licenced engineers to the profession by presenting them with their certificates.

As part of the AGM order of business, the Treasurer presented the 2013 Grand River Chapter financials and the Nominations Chair announced the Grand River Chapter Board Executive members for 2014 Both were unanimously approved by members present.

The AGM concluded with a reminder to all members to vote in this year’s PEO elections.